Less than a month after Free National Movement Senator Desmond Bannister tendered his resignation from the Upper Chamber, the Official Opposition yesterday revealed its replacement to fill that vacancy with the appointment of attorney and Financial Services analyst John Kevin Fitzgerald Delaney
Free National Movement Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest, right, welcomes his party’s newest senator, attorney John Delaney.
The 41-year-old is said to have been a faithful supporter and committed advocate of the FNM for years.
Welcoming the new senator to his party’s parliamentary team, FNM Leader Senator Tommy Turnquest told reporters that he is satisfied that Mr. Delaney possesses the insight, vision and passion that will endear a broad range of Bahamians to both him and the FNM.
“John joins a cadre of FNM’s on the frontline, inside and outside of Parliament, who are articulate, insightful, patriotic and ready to serve,” Mr. Turnquest said.
“Together our party is stronger.”
The FNM leader’s reassurance comes on the heels of a recent Bahama Journal article that revealed that the party was in crisis after its advisory council headed by former Deputy Prime Minister Frank Watson advised Mr. Turnquest that there are many FNM’s who want him out and Mr. Ingraham back in as leader.
On Tuesday, Mr. Turnquest was flanked by numerous party officials, including Leader of the Official Opposition Alvin Smith; Montagu MP Brent Symonette; Senators Tanya McCartney and Gladys Johnson-Sands; and Deputy Chairman Loretta Butler-Turner.
The FNM leader said in the months ahead, his party will continue to present to Bahamians more persons who will join the party’s makeup as the country moves closer to the 2007 general election.
“You will see more persons being presented to the Bahamian people as standard bearers and spokespersons, who in addition to our existing team, are well qualified in the trenches of doing the job,” he said. “We are continuing to attract new persons as well to the frontline and I think that by the next election, you will see a team of men and women who are committed to the further development of The Bahamas and be very impressed.”
He dismissed speculation that another FNM seat may be left vacant in the Senate, again stressing that he is focused on putting together a team that will reclaim the government.
Mr. Turnquest noted that part of making that all happen is the appointment of Mr. Delaney as the new Senator, an “extremely difficult choice” that reportedly came after party officials considered the qualifications of over 50 candidates.
The new Senator elect has vowed to serve Bahamians with honour and integrity in all aspects of his new post, working tirelessly to discharge his duties.
“To approach law from a different perspective for the betterment of the entire country is just a fantastic opportunity for me,” he told reporters.
“But beyond the law and the law-making process of the Senate, I am very passionate about the further development of our country and I recognize that the Senate is an ideal platform for me to articulate my views on other regards that perhaps my voice might be a little too small.”
The 7th of eight children, Mr. Delaney is the son of Remona Delaney and the late service station proprietor, John F. Delaney.
He is married to the former Daphne Dean and the couple has three children.
Mr. Delaney was expected to make his first official political speech during the FNM’s rally last night called to deliver a report card of sorts on the government’s three years in office.
By: Macushla N. Pinder, The Bahama Journal
